With the American market still struggling to get its head around the whole electric car thing, plenty of manufacturers are scaling back their EV ambitions to refocus on hybrid power. Whether that's right for the market and, indeed, the globe remains to be seen, but we can for sure expect to see a lot more cars with internal combustion over the next few years.
Honda has made its plans clear on that front, which might be cause for concern among many for one simple reason: Outside of the NSX, the company's hybrids thus far haven't exactly been the most engaging of machines. That, though, could change with a new set of hybrid platforms launching soon that'll be lighter, quicker and even more fun to drive.
At the company's extensive proving grounds outside of Tochigi, Japan, I was given a go in a pair of cars that gave me reason to be optimistic about this next generation of electrically assisted but still combustion-dependent machines. They rely on a series of advancements that come together to form three different platforms: Small, Medium and Large.
Collectively, they're known as the Next Generation Hybrid System, and each one is designed to be modular, able to be scaled up or down to fit different models while still keeping their fundamental sections the same. Platform sharing like this makes it much easier (and cheaper) for manufacturers to roll out new machines and to do it quickly. With Honda looking to ramp up its hybrid offerings, that's key.
These platforms encompass things like chassis, engines, electric motors and electronics, plus the wonderful web of software required to tie it all together. Reducing weight is a huge focus here, with Honda's engineers coming up with a way to maintain crash safety while dramatically reducing the size of the front and rear subframes. This alone equates to a weight savings of some 90 kilograms (about 200 pounds) in a vehicle the size of a Honda Civic.
Lighter weight means more efficiency and better fuel economy. There's also a commensurate reduction in cost of 10 percent for manufacturing versus the company's current platforms, plus promises of increased grip and reduced road noise.
The smallest of Honda's new platforms is destined for Honda's smallest cars, including ultra-minis that swarm Japanese streets but have rarely found much success in the United States. For now, at least, we won't be getting any cars based on that platform.
The Medium and Large platforms, though, will be tucked in neatly throughout many next-generation cars from the brand. Medium will be suitable for four-cylinder machines like the Civic and crossover SUVs like the HR-V. The Large platform, meanwhile, will be used for bigger V6 machines, like the Ridgeline and Passport.
Each system ties that engine to a pair of electric motors, plus an optional third electric motor at the back for all-wheel drive. A revised, more compact battery provides the high-voltage current to power the system. It's tucked in beneath the rear seat.
None of that is radically different from what can be found in Honda's current hybrids. And, like those, these new hybrids will be able to run in an effective series hybrid mode, where the engine just charges the battery and the car drives exclusively using the electric motors. Or, step on that throttle harder at higher speeds and the car can directly engage the engine to power the car forward.
That's all familiar, but a few changes could have some significant impacts. On the Large platform, a new transmission enables the car to have both a "hi" and "lo" gear range, which could be a boon for anyone towing their trusty trailer up into the mountains for a weekend getaway.
The Medium-sized platform can do some shifting, too, but it's only pretend shifting here using a system called S+ Shift. At the press of a button (conveniently labeled S+), this new technology creates the experience of driving a virtual eight-speed transmission that you can run up or down through by pulling on the shift paddles on the back of the steering wheel.
Since, again, these hybrids are driven by their electric motors, shifting isn't really doing much of anything but making the engine rev more or less. But, by varying the electric motor's output and regeneration, you get a surge of extra resistance on deceleration and a kick of acceleration on upshifts, all to simulate the feeling of a proper transmission.
I confess that I was very skeptical about how this system would really help when I went to Japan, but I was wrong. It's great. Honda prepared a prototype sedan for me to drive, and it looked all the world like a current-gen Civic up top, except with a rather large nose stuck on the front and some decidedly pronounced flared fenders.
Underneath the skin was a completely different machine, built around a front-drive version of the next-gen platform. It sounded great to start, helped by what looked like a sport exhaust at the back, plus no shortage of digital augmentation coming through the speakers.
But the S+ Shift mode really made a compelling difference, too. Even though you're really just needlessly revving that hybrid engine more or less, and actually making the system less efficient, the result is a car that feels responsive and in control, rather than something just droning on as deftly as possible.The way the car responds, aggressively downshifting as you brake for corners and giving you a little kick with every upshift on the way out, it made me smile.
The rest of the car did, too. Honda's test track was far too smooth for me to sample the improved ride quality or reduction in road noise, but the car's handling felt good and its steering sharp, not quite as remarkable as the current Civic Type R but, again, way more fun than today's humble Civic Hybrid.
Honda hasn't announced where this new platform will first appear, but if you want to get an early taste of S+ Shift, it'll be debuting in the upcoming Honda Prelude hybrid. That reborn coupe lacks all the other advancements to be found in Honda's next-gen platform, but it does offer the S+ virtual shifting. It's remarkably effective here, too, and with lots of parts sharing with the Civic Type R, the Prelude was a surprisingly good time.
While the Prelude is hitting dealers soon, to sample cars featuring the next-gen hybrid platform, you'll have to wait a little longer. Honda representatives said it'll start showing up beneath the flesh of its machines starting as soon as next year. Based on the shape of that prototype I drove, I'd say a next-generation Civic will be among the first to sport it.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/driving-hondas-lighter-faster-and-more-fun-next-gen-hybrid-prototype-150000472.html?src=rss